$9m New Deal incentives for 566 schools

SHAH ALAM - The Government has awarded RM23.1 million (S$8.9 million) of New Deal incentives to school heads and teachers in 566 primary schools which exceeded their performance targets.

Under the New Deal, school heads receive certificates and RM7,500 while 5 per cent of the top teachers in the selected schools get RM1,800 and the rest RM900.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said these schools, making up 7.31 per cent of the number of primary schools, exceeded the performance targets set under the National Key Result Areas last year, which was above the 6 per cent target set by the ministry.

"The effectiveness of school management depends greatly on the capability of the school head in handling the challenges to ensure that all the available resources are utilised to fulfil the aspirations of the education system," said Muhyiddin in his speech at the incentives presentation ceremony here yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said that out of the 566 schools, 209 (36.9 per cent) were urban schools, 302 (53.4 per cent) rural schools and the remaining 55 (9.7 per cent) interior schools.

The schools were evaluated under the Malaysian Education Quality Standard in which the schools were ranked based on the combination of scores in the School Composite Score.

SK Tasik Chini, Pahang, is the only orang asli school receiving the New Deal incentives.

Headmaster Akit Huat said his school had managed to achieve a 100 per cent passing rate in the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah examination for three years in a row.

To prepare pupils for the exam, Akit said the school "quarantined" them during the school holidays.

"We make sure that the pupils come back to school during the holidays to attend extra classes," he said.

"It is also important to build a close relationship with the parents to help them understand the importance of a good education."

Akit added that he was willing to share tips on school management and motivating orang asli pupils with other schools.